USA TODAY, Facebook partner for Super Bowl Ad Meter

— -- USA TODAY and Facebook are joining forces in 2012 to launch the 24th annual Super Bowl Ad Meter.

For the first time, consumers will decide the winner of the USA TODAY Facebook Super Bowl Ad Meter. They will be able to view and vote on the ads, see how other people rank the ads and share their favorites with Facebook friends. The USA TODAY Facebook Super Bowl Ad Meter consumer rating will take place via an app hosted on Facebook and USATODAY.com, both online and via mobile.

"The impact and influence of Ad Meter over the years has been astounding. Through this partnership with Facebook we're giving consumers a voice with the opportunity to rate and share the ads with their friends. Social media is changing the face of consumer engagement and this partnership more than ever, puts the consumer at the center of the conversation around advertising's biggest annual event," says David Payne, senior vice president and chief digital officer of Gannett, parent of USA TODAY.

The winner of the USA TODAY Facebook Super Bowl Ad Meter will be announced after the online voting period.

In addition, the traditional focus group of viewers also rate the ads during the game in a controlled environment and those results will be shared with the public after the game ends.